EMPLOYMENT and learning minister Stephen Farry has pledged to consider any business plan put forward for the expansion of the University of Ulster's Magee campus.
Following a meeting a delegation in Derry yesterday, the Alliance politician said he remained "sympathetic" to development at Magee.
The minister's announcement last week that expansion of the campus was "off the table" following budget cuts to his department caused fury in Derry, where Magee is central to the city's 'One Plan' economic development strategy.
However, following his meeting with the university, Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Derry Londonderry Strategy Board, he appeared to leave the door open to expansion in the future.
Dr Farry said: "I understand the historical context and the potential impact upon the local economy in the north west."
The minister said his officials would seek future funding for the expansion if additional resources became available.
"The department will scrutinise any business case received in order to be in a position to make any bid in relation to the 2016-2020 budget period," he said.
Foyle MP Mark Durkan, who attended yesterday's meeting, said he felt more re-assured about the minister and his department's attitude.
"We in Derry are realistic to know that the case will be based on the expansion of higher education throughout the north and we want to work in partnership with the department to achieve that," he said.
Earlier yesterday, Mr Durkan wrote to Dr Farry to register what he described as "the upset and resentment" caused by last week's announcement.
He told the minister: "Take the welfare cuts or Magee gets it is not a message to win hearts and minds".